Voting

It’s really nice that voting is the new cool thing this year. Most people are quite upbeat that they are gonna vote/ have voted. I like the enthusiasm. I like the optimism.

But just a word of caution…amidst all the ‘jaago re’ hoopla, don’t forget that voting is just one step. It’s not the be-all-n-end-all of all our problems. No matter what these awareness campaigns say, “ek sahi vote” isn’t really going to change everything. It is definitely a beginning of change. Let’s not forget it’s just that. A beginning. An important first step. If we want all the things we do – better governance, cleaner politics, honest opportunities, faster development – mere voting isn’t getting us anywhere. Coz the people we vote for are still the same. I don’t want to be a cynic. I want to vote too (mostly coz I also think it’s cool). But for whom?? I’ve been trying to get hold of the list of candidates in my constituency without any success. And neither of the leading parties appeals much to me. Quite a bleak situation if you think of it! I don’t want to vote just for the heck of it!

And the point is, even if I do figure out one decent candidate and vote for him/her and Even if he/she gets elected (though that’s being a bit too optimistic!)…then what? If that person belongs to one of the major parties, he/she will soon ‘mould’ into their line of thought. If they are an independent candidate, what can they do in a scenario when the ruling party is just not interested in the ‘lesser’ issues?!

Actually, the point is not how bad things are. The point is how much worse will I let them get till I do something about it. Maybe the excitement about these elections is a good way to wake up. To “jaago” in the true sense. To not just vote coz it’s a smart thing, but to vote smartly. To be politically aware and active. To pick up a broom and start cleaning my home. To stop wondering and start doing. To shake myself outta apathy. These elections may not mend everything right away, but they are definitely an eye-opener. I’ll always remember 2009 as the year I decided to ‘grow up’.

school stuff

It's almost the end of grad college, and I've been thinking of school. haha...no connection.

My most special school time memory is from when I was in the 12th standard. It was almost the end of school. We had assembled in the audi to practice for the candle light ceremony. And a lot of people were getting teary. I, on the other hand, was sobbing. It had nothing to do with the fact that school life was coming to an end. I had misplaced a friend’s diary (the one in which everyone writes stuff about you and sticks pictures and says ‘don’t ever change’ and ‘friends forever’…an invaluable possession!). There was some confusion about who was supposed to have had it last, and it so happened that I was the culprit. And though logically, it was my friend who should’ve been distraught, it was I who broke down under self-blame, shame and guilt. I felt like the sickest, most irresponsible person alive. Hence the sobbing. In school (and even now) I was hardly the kind of person who’d cry in public, much less in front of the entire school.
One of my teachers, Mrs. A, saw me crying and called me over. When everyone left, she asked me what the matter was. She looked so worried, perhaps expecting me to come out with a life-threatening secret ;) Telling her what really was the matter made me feel a tad bit silly. But she was super sweet about it. She gave me a hug and told me it was okay and that such things happen. Come to think of it, it wasn’t such a big deal, this gesture. But somehow, it’s etched in my mind as an unforgettable moment. I have been in awe of Mrs. A all my life. She is one person I, and mosta my friends, aspire to be like. She’s the reason I’m doing what I’m doing. And she also came across as this highly no-nonsense person. So a hug from her was a Big deal. But it wasn’t just that. I was overwhelmed coz she cared enough to ask. I felt so loved at that moment. Another teacher (also a fab person and great teacher) also asked what was wrong. I felt kinda guilty to have got all this attention after committing an almost-crime. But hey! I deserved a lil pep-up before I left school, and I have always got more than I deserved! :)